I am back!! Sorry for the delay people but with the end of the school year and a recent move i have finally settled and am ready to return and what better way than to discuss the recent Villains 3 release.
Chernabog 
First appeared in 1940 in Disney’s Fantasia.
Walt stated that Chernabog was a representation of Satan himself. Well it is safe to say that this little guy is no true demon, in fact he is the star of the set. From the expression on his face to those magnificent wings, Chernabog is terrific. Originally I had insisted that Chernabog MUST be a 9” but I give Disney artists a pass on this but simply can’t give a 10 because how much MORE awesome would the 9” Chernabog be?
Judge Frollo First appeared in Disney’s 1996 adaptation, The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Few good things and a few not so good things to say here, starting with the bad. The hat is too big (and the rent is too damn high). I also wish they would have fit all his face on the head of the vinylmation. I am getting flashbacks of Villains 2 (not really a good thing). Onto the good, The hat, although a tad too big for the vinyl (thus weighing down the box) it is phenomenal. Love the fact that it isn’t just painted on. It adds to that menacing look. Usage of ears seems to be a theme with this set and it delivers here big time with great usage of flames. A truly terrifying portrayal of a truly terrifying villain.
Gaston First appeared in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (1991)
With quite possibly the best villain song of all time
it was only a matter of time that Gaston got his own vinyl. Best part of this vinylmation representation is the nod to the “antlers in all of my decorating” line in Gaston’s song used in the ears of the vinyl. Great job vinylmation team! Now if only you hadn’t broke Gaston’s neck with that awkward head placement.
Gideon First appeared in Pinocchio (1940)
They did Stromboli, they did Monstro, they did Honest John, and in this set we get 2 Pinocchio villains. This only begs the question…WHERE IS FIGARO?!?! Anyway before I get on a tangent, lets focus on Gideon. The top hat makes yet another appearance as it is revived in Villains 3 but since it is only used once, I will let it slide. His face on the vinyl doesn’t scream villain but then again, he didn’t look like much of one in the movie as well. Nice paws as feet.
Medusa First appearance 1977 in The Rescuers
I imagine they were scraping the bottom of the barrel here on this selection. Could they have chosen a Tarzan villain or even a redo of Scar or Maleficent, of course. But instead we get a new character depiction. It makes sense considering they made a Rescuer two-pack but Medusa just doesn’t do it for me. A sloppy design as well as an unimpressive face choice leaves a lot to be desired.
Queen of Hearts First appearance 1951 Disney’s Alice in Wonderland
So I can understand redoing vinyls. Bonzai was remade because he had to be included in the Lion King set if they wanted to make all 3 hyenas. Why Alice was not remade in the set titled after her is beyond me. So why is it that we get a Queen of Hearts remake when, in my opinion, the Alice in Wonderland depiction is much better. I like the crown attachment in the AIW Queen as well as the facial choice. Disney, if you are going to redo some earlier character choices at least improve upon them.
Rattigan First appearance in The Great Mouse Detective (1986)
Obscure choice? Maybe. A true villain? No doubt. Execution? A little left to be desired. Ratigan has one of the most terrifying and crazed looks of any Disney character in the film Great Mouse Detective yet the artists chose to select his more charismatic front he give the mice. With so many possibilities for variants, this figure may have made the most sense to have one. What we do have though is a well-decorated body and facial features. Would I liked to have had a different face? Sure, but I am happy with the inclusion of Rattigan at all.
Si and Am First appearance in Disney’s Lady and the Tramp (1955)
I applaud Disneystore artists for doing things that the park artists seem not to do. Once again we see a dual sided vinylmation and although this one doesn’t come close to Lady Gothel of Villains 2, the approach is to be appreciated. It is a shame the cats come out chubby and blobbish. One “good” thing about the new mold; you can rotate the head and barely notice the head is on backwards. Wait…is that a good thing?
Smee First appearance in Disney’s Peter Pan (1953)
The tyrannical and maniacal Smee finally makes his debut. Oh wait, Smee isn’t any of that you say? Well at least he refuses to pull up his pants (if you don’t have him, get one and look at the backside). Smee has always been a favorite character of mine at the parks and this vinyl is done quite well. His expression is spot on as well as his body. The only complaint has to come from the blobs on the feet of the vinyl. What a great opportunity to use the new feet option here and give him some real sandals but alas, maybe another day. No sandals for Smee and no hook for Hook.
Tick Tock First appearance in Disney’s Peter Pan (1953)
I am not sure Tock is a villain. His main adversary is Hook. Villain versus villain? I mean I don’t doubt if Peter Pan fell in the water that Tock wouldn’t hesitate to eat him up but I just don’t see Tock as a true villain. Anyway I am not in love with this depiction of the character. He is overdone to look too villainous and not true to his in movie character (which I found to be a mixture of a big hound dog and Ed from Lion King). The clock in Tock’s mouth lets you know who he is but the eyes really don’t do it for me. Tock was such a simpleton.
The Coachman First appeared in Pinocchio (1940)
See up above for my cry for Figaro. Anyway Coachman is another welcome addition and this face is truly scary. I always saw Coachman as the main villain in Pinocchio but then again I guess one could argue that he shares the role with Stromboli and Monstro. The choice to depict the Coachman with that beet-read face is a terrific choice but how’s about a whip accessory?
Mortimer Mouse First appeared in Mickey Mouse in Death Valley (short cartoon 1930)
First depicted as Minnie’s uncle and later a nonrelated mouse striving for Minnie’s affection (creeeeeeepy) and rival to Mickey. So many things to say about this choice but I will keep it brief. I like the relative obscurity and nod to Disney history with this choice. The problem I have is that the last two sets, set the bar high with ingenuity and consumer desire. I just don’t see that here. The most cleverly designed figure is Chernabog, so why not make him the chaser? Well let’s focus on the vinyl at hand. Two words: very meh. Seen in person the face is awkward and strange as he is placed diagonally and across the head and body. Can we request a redo?
